Program Introduces Future Scientists to Kidney Disease Research
SURISKD provides students with hands-on laboratory experience, mentorship from leading investigators, and exposure to the scientific questions driving advances in kidney health and disease.
Undergraduates from across the country spend the summer at UT Southwestern exploring one of medicine's most pressing health challenges through the Summer Undergraduate Research Institute for the Study of Kidney Disease (SURISKD), a specialized research training program designed to introduce students to careers in kidney disease research. SURISKD is supported by a National Institutes of Health grant and is co-directed by Thomas Carroll, Ph.D., Professor of Internal Medicine and Molecular Biology, and Sarah Huen, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Internal Medicine.
SURISKD provides students with hands-on laboratory experience, mentorship from leading investigators, and exposure to the scientific questions driving advances in kidney health and disease. Participants conduct research, analyze data, present their findings, and build relationships with faculty members and peers who share an interest in biomedical discovery.
The program is part of a broader effort by the Department of Internal Medicine to develop the next generation of physician-scientists and researchers while expanding opportunities for students from backgrounds historically underrepresented in science. Joel Elmquist, D.V.M., Ph.D., Professor of Internal Medicine and Vice Chair of Research, said these experiences help students gain meaningful research skills and prepare for future careers in biomedical investigation.
Throughout the 10-week experience, students work alongside faculty mentors in active research laboratories, gaining firsthand exposure to the challenges and rewards of scientific discovery. In addition to their research projects, participants attend seminars, network with investigators, and learn about graduate and physician-scientist training pathways.
For many students, programs such as SURISKD provide an important introduction to academic research and a clearer understanding of how laboratory discoveries can ultimately improve patient care. Alumni of UT Southwestern's summer research programs have gone on to pursue doctoral and medical-scientist training, citing the experience as a pivotal step in their scientific development.
By combining intensive research training with mentorship and career development, SURISKD aims to strengthen the pipeline of future investigators committed to understanding kidney disease and developing new approaches to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.